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OF 

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OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


CLARENCE    fc.  DOROTH 

WALDMAN  * 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 


THE  TWILIGHT 

OF  THE  GODS 


BY  JOSEPHINE  DASKAM  BACON 


NEW  YORK 

MITCHELL  KENNERLEY 
1915 


COPYRIGHT    1914    BY 
MITCHELL   KENNERLEY 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 
P5 


731384 


The  Twilight  of  the  Gods 


SCENE  I 

A  vast  indefinite  vault  of  blue,  faintly  studded 
with  stars.  On  a  lustrous  cloud,  firm  about  the 
edge,  as  in  ancient  pictures,  sit  the  Three  Per 
sons  of  the  Christian  Trinity.  God  is  repre 
sented  as  a  severe,  yet  benignant  man,  on  a 
throne  of  sapphire,  elderly,  with  a  snowy 
beard;  Christ  is  a  dreamy  young  Jew  with  a 
crown  of  thorns;  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the  form 
of  a  dove. 

A  vague,  sweeping  melody,  as  of  harps,  is 
always  in  the  air;  from  time  to  time  a  white, 
swift  shape,  winged,  shoots  across  the  blue 
vault.  From  below,  as  from  a  distant  pit,  comes 
a  confusion  of  sound,  like  the  buzzing  of  bees. 
Sometimes  a  groan,  sometimes  a  laugh,  some 
times  a  high  note,  as  of  a  trumpet,  penetrates 
to  the  throne.  Most  often  the  wail  of  an  in- 

1 


8  THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

fant  or  a  clear  bell,  as  it  is  rung  before  the 
sacrament  for  the  dying,  mounts  above  the  rest. 
At  intervals  the  heavy  boom  of  a  cannon  shakes 
through  everything,  followed  by  the  screaming 
shriek  of  shells. 

The  chant  of  priests  is  heard:     As  it  was  in 
the  beginning,  is  now  and  ever  shall  be ! 

A  SHARP  VOICE 
Forward,  march  I 

THE  PRIESTS 

World  without  end,  amen! 

THE  SHARP  VOICE 
Fire! 

[^  crashing  volley  of  heavy  artillery  obliter 
ates  all  other  sound  for  a  moment,  and  a 
volume  of  smoke  rolls  up  to  the  throne.  The 
screams  of  horses  and  a  thick  odor  of  blood 
mount  sluggishly  together.~\ 

CHILDREN'S  VOICES 

Jesus,  tender  shepherd,  hear  me, 
Bless  thy  little  lamb  to-night, 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS  9 

Through  the  darkness  be  thou  near  me, 
Keep  me  safe  till  morning  light! 

CHRIST  [advancing  to  the  edge  of  the  cloud  and 
spreading  out  his  hands  with  a  gesture  of 
infinite  sweetness] 

It  seems  that  I  cannot  hear  them  so  well, 
to-night. 

[  There  is  a  sudden  odor  of  lilies,  and  a  flock 
of  tiny  cherubim  flutter  like  new  birds  across 
the  blue  'vault.  Behind  them  appears  the 
Virgin,  standing  upon  a  cloud,  the  crescent 
moon  under  her  feet.  A  sword  is  thrust 
through  her  heart,  which  drops  blood  over 
her  blue  robe.  These  drops  turn  to  rubies  as 
they  fall  to  the  earth.  Tears  continually  roll 
from  her  eyes,  and  fall  into  the  sea  as  pearls. 
She  approaches  the  throne.'} 

GOD 

Who  is  that? 

CHRIST 

That  is  Mary,  my  Mother. 

GOD 

I  suppose  she  is  bringing  the  prayers? 


io         THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

CHRIST 

Without  doubt. 

[Mary  approaches  and  falls  upon  her  knees 
before  the  throne.  Immediately  the  sounds 
from  below  become  louder  and  more  dis 
tinct:  words  are  plainly  heard.] 

A  ROUGH,  DRUNKEN  VOICE 
God  damn  your  soul  to  hell! 

A  WOMAN'S  VOICE 

Take  me — Oh,  take  me,  God,  and  save  the 
child  I 

A  YOUNG  MAN'S  VOICE 

I  swear  to  God  I  never  promised  that  to  any 
other  woman ! 

A  CHILD'S  VOICE 

I  never  stole  it — ask  God,  and  he  will  tell 
you  I  never  took  the  sugar!  Please  don't 
beat  me,  mother! 

A  YOUNG  GIRL'S  VOICE 

O  God,  I  beg  and  pray  thee  to  let  me  die! 
May  I  not  die,  God? 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS         n 

A  BOY'S  VOICE 

Dear  God,  when  I  wake  up,  please  let  me 
find  the  knife  with  two  blades  by  the  bed! 
If  I  find  it  in  the  morning,  I  know  I  shall 
always  be  good  I 

A  GENERAL'S  VOICE 

God  bless  you,  my  brave  men,  and  bring  to 
our  impious  foes  the  annihilation  they  so 
richly  deserve.  Animated  by  the  pure  and 
holy  courage  of  those  who  righteously  defend 
the  Fatherland,  I  pray  Almighty  God  that  if 
we  must  die,  it  may  be  only  over  the  dead 
bodies  of  our  enemies.  God  be  with  us ! 

A  PRIEST'S  VOICE 

From  battle,  murder  and  sudden  death — 

A  CONGREGATION'S  VOICE 
Good  Lord,  deliver  us ! 

GOD 

Does  the  Queen  of  Heaven  ask  that  all  these 
prayers  be  answered? 


12         THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

MARY 

Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord,  be  it  unto 
me  according  to  thy  word.  If  those  that 
seemed  best  might  be  answered  .  .  . 

GOD 

No  one  seems  to  me  better  or  worse  than 
another.  The  boy  must  have  his  knife,  cer 
tainly  .  .  . 

[A  terrific  explosion  is  heard,  shaking  the 
earth.  Mary  shudders  and  the  sword  in  her 
heart  quivers.] 

CHRIST 

What  was  that,  O  my  father? 

GOD 

Do  you  mean  that  sparrow  which  has  just 
fallen  to  the  ground,  or  that  city  which  has 
been  blown  up  and  has  dropped  into  the  sea  ? 

A  MILITARY  BAND 
God  save  the  King! 

A  MOTHER'S  VOICE 

I  am  the  proudest  woman  in  France  to-day — 
I  have  given  five  sons  to  my  country! 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS         13 

A  LAD'S  VOICE 

Slit  the  women's  throats,  comrades,  burn  the 
ricks,  tie  up  the  gold  and  come  on! 

CHILDREN'S  VOICES 

Jesus,  tender  shepherd,  hear  me, 
Bless  thy  little  lamb  to-night! 

CHRIST  [leaning  over  the  cloud~\ 
I  can  hardly  hear  them,  now  .  .  . 
[There  comes  a  sound  as  of  metal  striking 
on  metal,  and  St.  Peter  appears  before  the 
throne,   robed  and   with   heavy   keys.     He 
crosses  himself  haughtily.] 

PETER 

In  the  name  of  the  Father  and  of  the  Son 
and  of  the  Holy  Ghost !  \_Kneeling  stiffly  to 
the  Firgin]  Hail  Mary,  full  of  Grace,  the 
Lord  is  with  thee ! — Am  I  to  let  them  all  in 
at  once? 

GOD 

All!    Are  there  more  than  usual,  then? 

PETER 

More  than  usual?  There  have  not  been  so 
many  at  one  time  since  that  ship  went  down, 


14         THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

a  little  while  back.  There  is  no  one  who 
feels  for  them  at  sea  as  I  do:  poor  souls,  the 
waves  are  ill  to  walk  on  I  I  have  never  been 
easier  with  any  .  .  .  but  this  is  very  differ 
ent.  And  mind  you,  they  say  they  have  all 
been  blessed  beforehand  and  should  be  ex 
cused  any  further  waiting.  One  would  think 
this  was  Valhalla,  or  whatever  the  heathen 
place  was  called.  I  locked  the  gate  for  a 
bit,  to  go  inside,  and  when  I  get  in,  what  do 
I  find?  A  worse  to-do  than  without,  I  give 
you  my  word!  There's  no  holding  them. 
Michael  with  his  sword,  forsooth !  And  of 
course  it's  no  concern  of  mine,  but  you  may 
remember  what  I  said  awhile  back  about 
making  holy  saints  over  night  out  of  igno 
rant  peasant  girls!  Well  ...  I  can  tell 
you  now  that  if  she  could  get  out  she'd  be 
down  there  in  a  minute !  She  says  she  hears 
her  voices  again  and  that  France  needs  her ! 

CHRIST 

Simon,  Simon! 

PETER 

Of  course,  I  am  only  Peter — I  am  only  the 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS         15 

Rock  on  which  God's  church  is  built — who 
forsook  the  nets  more  quickly  than  I? 

CHRIST 

Even  as  she  forsook  the  sheep. 

PETER  [sullenly'] 

I  deny  that  a  woman  can  be  called  of  God! 

MARY 

But  I  was  called  of  God. 

PETER 

I  deny  that  a  woman  is  expected  to  bear  a 
sword ! 

MARY 

But  I  have  borne  a  sword — [She  touches  her 
heart]  here — ever  since  I  bore  my  son. 

PETER  [loudly] 
I  deny  .  .  . 

[A  cock  crows,  and  he  goes  out,  weeping  bit 
terly."} 

A  REGIMENT'S  VOICE 

Bless  our  colors,  Holy  Father! 


1 6         THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

A  DYING  POPE'S  VOICE 
I  bless  peace. 

A  CATHEDRAL  CHOIR'S  VOICE  [faintly] 

Eternal  rest  give  him,  O  Lord,  and  let  per 
petual  light  shine  on  him.     May  he  rest  in 
peace,  Amen. 
[Mary  weeps.] 

CHRIST  [sternly] 

Woman,  why  weepest  thou? 

MARY  [meekly] 
Sir? 

CHRIST  [taking  her  hand  as  a  Son] 

0  mystical  rose,  tower  of  ivory,  mother  un- 
defiled,  who  hath  given  a  new  grief  to  the 
Queen  of  Heaven? 

MARY  [sadly] 

1  weep  because  the  shepherd  of  the  world 
dies,  and  he,  whose  foot  the  kings  of  the 
earth  have  kissed,  may  not  have  his  dying 
prayer  granted! 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS         17 

GOD  [wearily] 

But  I  could  not  hear  his  dying  prayer!  I 
would  have  been  willing  to  grant  it,  undoubt 
edly,  but  just  at  that  moment  the  cannon  be 
gan.  They  should  pray  more  loudly,  or  shoot 
more  softly,  down  there. 

MARY  [sobbing] 

If  you"  could  only  see  the  faces  of  the  poor 
when  they  think  of  him — ah,  he  never  forgot 
my  poor,  my  blessed  poor  1 

GOD 

If  they  fill  the  air  with  smoke,  they  cannot 
expect  me  to  see.  With  the  incense  it  was 
hard  enough,  sometimes,  but  I  always  sup 
posed  they  had  their  reasons  for  that. 

CHRIST  [in  a  low  voice"] 

That  was  to  cover  the  smell  of  the  blood — 
in  the  old  days. 

A  NUN'S  VOICE 

O  saving  victim, 
Slain  for  man — 


1 8        THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

A  CAPTAIN'S  VOICE 

Pah!  There's  no  standing  up  in  it,  it's  all 
so  slippery!  Wipe  out  this  trench,  sergeant, 
and  reach  me  that  bayonet — wrench  it  out 
of  his  hand,  then — he's  dead  enough  for 
that!  Has  he  a  drink  on  him? — For  his 
mother,  he  says?  God!  if  I'm  to  remembe£ 
all  the  messages  to  mothers  I've  had  told  me 
to-day,  I'd  have  no  room  in  my  head  for 
orders ! 

A  YOUNG  WOMAN'S  VOICE  [through  violins] 
It   seems  hardly  right  to  be  dancing  here, 
when    they're    dying    so    fast    across    the 
ocean  .  .  . 

A  TRAINED  NURSE'S  VOICE 

Ether!  Where's  more  ether?  This  is  hor 
rible  ! — I  can't  keep  him  under,  doctor.  .  .  . 
What  is  the  matter  with  the  Red  Cross? 
What  are  they  for? 

THE  VOICE  OF  A  COMMON  SOLDIER 

Hey,  comrade,  can  you  give  me  a  drop  of 
that  water? 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS         19 

THE  VOICE  OF  ANOTHER  COMMON  SOLDIER 
I  am  sorry,  comrade,  but  my  back  is  broken; 
it  seems  I  can't  move  my  arms.    Help  your 
self. 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  FIRST 

I'm  bleeding  too  fast;  I  was  shot  through 
the  stomach.  Well,  it's  all  as  God  wills. 
Wasn't  I  fighting  against  you,  the  last  time, 
hey? 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  SECOND 

I  believe  so.  It  was  only  a  few  years  ago 
.  .  .  and  now  we're  comrades-at-arms,  aren't 
we?  It  seems  queer  .  .  . 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  FIRST 

What's  the  odds,  now?  It's  all  over  with 
us.  What  was  the  trouble,  anyhow? 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  SECOND 

We  never  knew,  in  my  country.  One  mo 
ment  I  was  holding  my  wife,  just  as  her  first 
pains  came,  and  then  they  hurried  us  into 
the  ships.  I  don't  mind  dying  for  my  Em 
peror,  but  it  was  a  hard  time  to  leave  her. 


20        THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

The  other  children  are  so  small  and  the  win 
ter's  coming  on  ...  we're  poor  folk.  They 
had  nobody  but  me. 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  FIRST 

That's  bad.  My  old  woman's  past  all  that 
trouble,  Christ  be  praised,  but  it  makes  me 
sick  to  think  of  the  wheat — we  left  it  full 
stand,  and  the  chargers  tore  through  the  best 
of  it.  God  pity  the  poor  this  winter — that's 
all  I  say! 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  SECOND 

If  the  Gods  ever  pitied  the  poor,  there  would 
be  no  poor. 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  FIRST 

The  Gods?  So  you're  a  heathen,  are  you? 
Oh  yes,  I  remember  when  we  fought  you,  ten 
years  back,  they  told  us  you  worshipped  your 
ancestors,  or  some  such  wickedness.  I  won 
der  at  you — and  as  near  death  as  you  are, 
too! 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  SECOND 
You  are  as  near.       .  . 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS         21 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  FIRST 

True,  but  I'm  a  Christian,  you  see.  It's  that 
makes  all  the  difference.  I  took  the  Com 
munion  before  we  started. 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  SECOND  [feebly] 

Do  you  think,  if  I  had  been  converted  by 
that  man  in  the  black  trousers,  that  urged 
me  so,  things  would  be  easier  now  for  the 
children  .  .  .  with  the  winter  coming 
on  .  .  .  ? 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  FIRST 

Surely.  Without  doubt.  All  heathen  should 
be  converted;  it  is  their  first  duty. 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  SECOND 
Then  I  wish  I  had  done  it. 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  FIRST 

That's  the  way  to  feel!  If  only  I  could 
move  my  arms,  I'd  baptize  you,  myself,  com 
rade,  but  I  can't  feel  my  fingers,  now. 

THE  VOICE  OF  A  BOY-CHOIR 

To  be  a  light  to  lighten  the  Gentiles,  and  to 
guide  their  feet  into  the  way  of  peace ! 


22         THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  FIRST 

What's  that?  Jesus  Christ,  it's  the  angels, 
singing!  Then  I'm  really  dying  ...  it 
doesn't  seem  possible,  with  the  wheat  left  that 
way! 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  SECOND 

Oh,  this  pain !  Oh !  I'm  torn  to  pieces  in 
side!  Water!  water!  They'll  starve  with 
out  me — patience,  patience,  it  will  soon  be 
born,  wife! — O-o-o-h! 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  FIRST  . 

He's  gone,  poor  fellow.  Well,  there's  no 
doubt  as  to  my  boys — the  three  of  them  went 
when  the  first  shell  burst  thisi  morning.  God 
bless  the  Czar!  God  save  Holy  Russia! 
[He  dies~\ 

CHILDREN'S  VOICES  [faintly] 

Jesus,  tender  shepherd,  hear 

CHRIST  [striding  to  the  extreme  edge  of  the 
cloud] 

Father !  my  father !  I  can  barely  hear  them ! 
What  does  it  mean? 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS         23 

MARY  [quietly] 

They  have  no  food,  and  their  voices  are 
weak.  Then,  too,  the  noise  is  growing  deaf 
ening. 

[A  bomb  explodes,  violently,  high  in  the  air. 
The  airship  that  carried  it  is  shattered  and 
scatters  to  the  winds.  Broken  fragments  of 
human  bodies  fall  into  the  sea.  A  vessel 
filed  with  corn  and  a  huge  man-of-war  load 
ed  with  troops  break  amidships,  and  sink 
slowly  under  the  waves.] 

A  CLERGYMAN'S  VOICE 

But  I  say  unto  you,  love  your  enemies,  do 
good  to  them  which  hate  you,  bless  them  that 
curse  you,  and  pray  for  them  which  despite- 
fully  use  you. 

COLLEGE  STUDENTS'  VOICES 

Onward  Christian  soldiers, 
Marching  as  to  war, 
With  the  cross  of  Jesus — 

CHRIST  [turning  away  weeping] 

My  God,  My  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken 

me? 

[The  smoke  from  the  bomb  grows  so  thick 


24        THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

as  to  obscure  the  vault  gradually;  the  faces 
of  the  Trinity  can  be  seen  but  dimly.  They 
appear  to  flicker  and  grow  pale.  All  is  dark 
ness.] 

SCENE  II 

As  the  extreme  darkness  dissipates,  a  grey 
twilight  takes  its  place,  and  when  this  has  set 
tled  itself,  it  is  seen  that  there  are  no  longer  any 
stars  nor  any  light  from  the  sapphire  throne, 
which  is  so  indistinct  in  its  outline  as  to  resemble 
a  pillar  of  cloud.  In  the  midst  of  this  Jehovah 
is  dimly  seen.  He  is  alone.  There  is  a  great 
silence.  Then  slowly,  out  of  the  shadowy 
depths,  vague  forms  begin  to  be  visible,  shifting 
and  changing  like  clouds  in  the  windy  sky.  One 
of  these  emerges  from  the  rest  and  moves  to 
ward  Jehovah,  more  distinct  than  the  others. 
It  seems  to  be  a  man  of  great  dignity  with  a 
long  mantle  and  a  patch  over  one  eye.  Another 
with  a  wound  turban  and  a  curved  scimitar  fol 
lows  him.  A  majestic  Woman  of  unearthly 
height,  bearing  a  shield  and  draped  in  a  classic 
tunic,  stands  like  a  statue.  Far  back  behind  the 
pillar  a  great  Bull  moves,  rustling  faintly,  and 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS         25 

behind  this  again,  the  wavering  outline  of  a 
human  body  with  the  face  of  a  Ram.  A  winged 
Serpent,  so  dim  as  to  be  hardly  seen,  with  a 
Fish's  head,  coils  and  uncoils  like  a  mist  wreath. 
The  sound  of  the  flowing  of  the  River  Nile  is 
now  heard,  and  beneath  it  one  can  distinguish, 
at  intervals,  the  roar  of  the  ocean,  through 
miles  of  space. 

JEHOVAH 

I  am  that  I  am.    Who  are  here  besides  My 
self? 

WOTAN 

There  are  many  of  Us  here — brother!     Or 
rather,  thou  art  here  with  the  rest  of  Us. 

JEHOVAH  [severely] 

I  am  the  Lord  thy  God:  thou  shalt  have  no 
other  gods  before  me. 

WOTAN 

Naturally.     We  have   all   felt  that  in  our 
time.     But  since  you  are  here  .  .  . 


26         THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

JEHOVAH 

Thou  shalt  not  make  unto  thee  any  graven 
image — 

PALLAS  ATHENE  [in  a  voice  like  a  distant  bell~\ 
To  this  image,  O  Jove  of  the  Hebrews,  thou 
sands  of  thousands  have  kneeled — and  I  am 
here. 

JEHOVAH 

— Or  any  likeness  of  anything  that  is  in 
heaven  above — 

A  VOICE  [from  a  barely  distinguishable  cloud, 
like  a  draped  figure  of  darkness,  with  the 
crescent  moon  upon  Its  head] 
And  yet  to  me,  the  violet,  brooding  Night  of 
Egypt,  more  tears  have  been  wept  than  the 
Nile  holds  drops! 

WOTAN 

Who  art  Thou,  Darkness? 

THE  VOICE 

I  am  Maut,  the  mother.  Truly  I  was  old 
before  thou  wast  born,  Jahveh — and  I  am 
here. 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS         27 

JEHOVAH 

— Or  that  is  in  the  earth  beneath — 

THE  BULL  [in  a  mellow  rumble] 

O  brother,  look  upon  Indra  the  mighty! 
They  who  sacrificed  to  me  in  thousands  were 
dust  ere  yet  thou  madest  thy  first  man  from 
dust — and  I  am  here. 

JEHOVAH 

— Or  that  is  in  the  water  under  the  earth — 

THE  COILING  SERPENT   [rustling  and  hissing 
from  his  Fish's  head] 

Surely,  youngest  of  Us,  maidens  were  led 
down  to  Dagon  in  sacrifice,  and  were  for 
gotten  of  Dagon,  ere  Eve  was  made  a 
mother!  And  I  am  here. 

[The  air  becomes  thick  with  crowding,  shad 
owy  shapes:  hideous,  battered  idols,  rude  and 
savage  symbols,  phallic  figures,  hundred- 
breasted,  bird-headed  monsters,  outlines  of 
pagodas,  Doric  pillars,  great  stone  crom 
lechs  and  Druid  altars.  Clouds  of  old  and 
withered  incense  rise  faintly  through  the  dim- 


28        THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

ness,  and  the  wails  and  coughs  of  slaughtered 
beasts  are  heard  at  irregular  intervals 
through  all  that  follows,  mingled  with  the 
mutter  of  priests  in  all  tongues,  the  chant  of 
choirs,  the  tears  and  groans  of  women.'} 

JEHOVAH  [firmly'] 

— For  I  the  Lord  thy  God  am  a  jealous 
God— - 

MOHAMMED  [boldly] 

— Without  doubt  You  were  all  jealous,  al 
ways.  Even  I  was  jealous  for  Allah,  who 
will  live  longer  than  most  of  You,  because 
there  are  no  images  of  Him  to  defile  and  no 
pictures  of  Him  to  misunderstand.  If  they 
cannot  see  You,  they  will  respect  You  longer. 

A  VOICE  FROM  THE  GODS 

But  if  they  cannot  see  Us  they  will  not  love 

Us! 

JEHOVAH 

No  man  hath  seen  God  at  any  time — 

MOHAMMED  [scornfully] 

What!     When  Moses  and  Aaron,  Nadab, 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS         29 

and  Abihu,  and  seventy  of  the  elders  of  Is 
rael  went  up  into  the  mount! 

JEHOVAH  [confusedly] 

Behold,  it  is  a  stiff-necked  people  .  .  . 

MOHAMMED  [impatiently] 

You  are  always  thinking  of  Your  Israelites — 
You  are  Three  now  (may  Allah  forgive  such 
foolishness!)  not  One.  Do  you  not  recall 
that  You  changed,  a  while  ago?  Since  the 
Nazarene,  things  have  been  very  different — 
I  cracked  many  a  skull  in  my  day,  to  prove 
him  wrong,  that  Nazarene!  I  could  never 
understand  how  they  could  stomach  all  that 
meekness  .  .  .  The  fellow  would  not  even 
fight  for  his  life. 

WOTAN  [growling] 

It  was  no  belief  for  a  man.  No  wonder  they 
left  it  to  the  women,  at  the  last.  It  is  only 
war  that  keeps  the  world  sweet — they  decay 
like  ants  when  they  cease  to  fight.  Aye,  they 
breed  and  bloat  and  stink  like  maggots,  and 
eat  each  other.  Faugh ! 


3O        THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

THE  SINGING  VOICE  OF  A  MISSIONARY 

The  support  of  the  audience  is  earnestly  re 
quested  for  our  final  tremendous  effort:  The 
World  for  Christ!  Never  before  has  the 
growth  of  Christianity  been  so  enormous,  so 
vital.  Never  before,  since  that  Birth  at 
Bethlehem,  have  such  masses  of  human  souls, 
spread  over  such  stupendous  areas  of  the 
earth's  surface,  confessed  their  Lord  and 
Master  Christ  as  Almighty  God. 
[There  is  a  silence.  The  Gods  look  at  one 
another,  surprised.  A  spear  clangs  on  a 
shield,  and  the  majestic  statue-woman 
moves.] 

PALLAS  ATHENE  [coldly] 

If  these  things  are  so,  why  are  You  here, 
Jahveh  ? 

ALL  THE  GODS 

Yes!     Why  is  He  here? 

A  VAST  FIGURE  [draped  in  a  lion  skin,  with 
an  enormous  club] 
Perhaps   Jahveh  means  Us   to  understand 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS        31 

that  He  is  only  a  tribal  God,  like  Myself, 
and  that  the  One  they  now  call  God — 

JEHOVAH  [angrily] 

Not  at  all.  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the 
beginning  and  the  end — 

A  CONGREGATION'S  VOICE 

Neither  confounding  the  Persons  nor  divid 
ing  the  Substance.  For  there  is  one  Person 
of  the  Father,  another  of  the  Son,  and  an 
other  of  the  Holy  Ghost  .  .  . 

HERCULES 

What!  Then  it  is  as  I  said — You  are  not 
that  Son? 

A  CONGREGATION'S  VOICE 

And  yet  they  are  not  three  eternals,  but  one 
eternal  .  .  . 

HERCULES 

Then  You  are  the  God  of  Battles? 

THE  VOICE  OF  ST.  JOHN 
God  is  love. 


32         THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

THE  VOICE  OF  A  WOMAN  [she  is  long-haired, 
upon  a  flying-horse,  shooting  like  a  star 
across  the  gloom~\ 

All-Father!  Wotan!  Wake,  arise!  They 
are  crowding  in  so  fast  we  cannot  carry 
them!  The  old  days  are  here  again!  The 
world  makes  war!  See — they  are  trooping 
up  from  below  and  from  below  that,  again ! 
There  are  the  old  ones,  with  spears,  and 
armor  on  the  horses — look,  the  Kings!  See 
the  Red  Cross  they  wear — 

VOICES  OF  CRUSADERS 

On  to  Jerusalem !    Save  the  Holy  Sepulchre ! 

JEHOVAH  [frowning'] 

Jerusalem?  Jerusalem?  Forty  years  long 
have  I  suffered  this  generation — 

MOHAMMED  [angrily] 

Always  your  Israelites !  It  is  Thy  sepulchre, 
Thine!  Oh,  the  dogs!  At  them,  at  them, 
all  true  believers !  There  is  but  one  God  and 
Mohammed  is  His  prophet!  At  them! 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS         33 

THE  VOICE  OF  CHRIST 

0  Jerusalem,  thou  that  killest  the  prophets! 
How  often  would  I  have  gathered  thy  chil 
dren  together — 

THE  VALKYR 

There  is  a  woman,  too,  with  a  red  cross — she 
tends  them  when  they  are  wounded  ...  is 
she  also  fighting,  All-Father? 

WOTAN  [puzzled] 

1  cannot  understand  them  nowadays.     The 
same  sign  serves  for  killing  and  curing. 

THE  VALKYR  [peering  through  the  dusk] 
There  is  the  little  man  that  fought  there 
abouts,  before — he  that  died  on  the  island. 
He  cheers  them  on  ...  there  is  the  tall  one 
that  wore  the  wreath  and  was  stabbed — he  is 
hurrying  his  legions.  There  is  the  Maid  that 
rode  the  white  horse — she  is  weeping  be 
cause  the  angels  will  not  bring  her  armor. 
She  says  God  wished  her  to  wear  the  armor, 
before  .  .  .  why  does  He  dislike  it  now,  All- 
Father? 


34 


WOTAN  [with  vexation] 

No  one  knows.  He  is  very  confusing.  I  be 
lieve  myself  that  He  cannot  make  up  His 
mind  .  .  . 

MOHAMMED  [smoothly'] 

He  and  His  Son,  perhaps,  are  not  quite 
agreed. 

THE  VOICE  OF  CHRIST 

Believest  thou  not  that  I  am  in  the  Father 
and  the  Father  in  me?  The  words  that  I 
speak,  I  speak  not  of  myself  .  .  . 

THE  VALKYR 

Ah!  Fourscore  slain  at  once!  Truly,  All- 
Father,  we  were  but  children,  in  those  days  I 
See,  one  little  round  ball  of  iron  will  travel 
five  leagues  and  then  go  through  four  men ! 
And  the  larger  balls  have  fire  in  them — they 
burst  and  shatter  a  company  of  fighters! 
Their  galleys  fly  through  the  air,  even  as  we, 
and  drop  death  upon  whole  towns! 

AN  ARCHBISHOP'S  VOICE 

George,  defender  of  the  Faith — 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS         35 

A  NEWSBOY'S  VOICE 

The  Emperor's  son  is  dead  I 

A  PRIEST'S  VOICE 

Blessed  are  the  dead  that  die  in  the  Lord! 

THE  VALKYR 

Thousands — a  score  of  thousands,  All- 
Father,  in  one  battle!  Will  there  be  any 
left  upon  the  earth? 

ALL  THE  GODS  [anxiously  crowding  together], 
Will  there  be  any  left? 

WOTAN 

I — I  cannot  tell. 

MOHAMMED 

We  must  ask  Brahm. 

JEHOVAH    [looking    out   from    the    pillar   of 
cloud~\ 
Where  is  He? 

MOHAMMED 

He  is  nowhere  and  everywhere  .  .  .  He  is 
the  oldest — and  the  greatest.  None  has  seen 


36        THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

Him,  which  makes  Him  greater  than  You, 
Jahveh;  nor  has  He  need  of  a  prophet,  which 
makes  Him,  I  must  suppose,  greater  than 
Allah.  O  Brahm,  are  men  to  vanish  from 
this  Thy  earth? 

THE  VOICE  OF  BRAHM 

There  must  always  be  men,  in  order  that  We 
may  be. 

WOTAN 

But  they  change,  Brahm,  they  change.  We 
are  afraid  .  .  . 

THE  VOICE  OF  BRAHM  [wearily] 

They  never  change.  It  is  We  who  change — 
they  are  ever  the  same. 

WOTAN 

But  they  die — > 

THE  VOICE  OF  BRAHM 

In  order  that  We  may  be  sure  of  living. 

JEHOVAH 

And  We  live — 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS         37 

THE  VOICE  OF  BRAHM 

In  order  that  they  may  be  sure  of  dying. 


MOHAMMED  [muttering] 

Then  we  are  living  to  some  purpose,  for  they 
are  dying  very  rapidly,  it  appears.  And 
Brahm  is  right,  when  He  says  that  they  never 
change.  But  We  understood  that  You, 
Jahveh,  had  agreed  to  change  them — and 
You  are  here,  like  the  rest  of  Us.  Who, 
then,  are  We  to  understand,  now  rules  the 
world? 

[A  'writing  appears  on  the  grey  mist:] 
AND  I,  IF  I  BE  LIFTED  UP,  WILL  DRAW  ALL 
MEN  UNTO  ME  I 

MOHAMMED 

The  Nazarene?  Certainly,  he  was  lifted 
up  ...  But  We  know  what  he  said — We 
all  know  what  he  said  .  .  . 

THE  VOICE  OF  CHRIST  [from  a  mountain'] 
Blessed  are  the  peacemakers,  for  they  shall 
be  called  the  children  of  God. 


38         THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

WOTAN  [solemnly] 

Enough  of  this  folly,  Jahveh ;  are  they  Yours, 
below  there,  or  your  Son's? 

JEHOVAH  [almost  inaudibly] 
They  are  my  Son's. 

[He  enters  the  pillar  of  cloud  and  fades  back 
among  the  other  Gods,  who  begin  to  grow 
dim  and  shapeless.] 

MOHAMMED  [who  is  a  little  less  shadowy  than 
the  others] 

Then  let  the  Nazarene  appear!  Let  him  join 
Us,  or  explain  to  Us  why  he  does  not  join 

Us. 

ALL  THE  GODS  [querulously'] 
Let  him  appear! 

MOHAMMED 

Call  him,  Brahm.     Call  the  Nazarene! 

THE  VOICE  OF  BRAHM 

Carpenter,  and  Son  of  a  Carpenter,  appear! 
[There  enters  a  Man  crowned  with  thorns, 
bent  heavily  beneath  a  great  cross.] 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS         39 

THE  VOICE  OF  JOHN  THE  BAPTIST 
Behold  the  Lamb  of  Godl 


THE  VOICE  OF  PONTIUS  PILATE 

Thine  own  nation  and  the  chief  priests  have 
delivered  thee  unto  me;  what  hast  thou 
done? 

THE  MAN 

My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world;  if  my  king 
dom  were  of  this  world,  then  would  my  ser 
vants  fight  .  .  .  but  now  is  my  kingdom  not 
from  hence. 

ALL  THE  GODS 

Then,  where  is  thy  kingdom? 

THE  MAN  [with  infinite  sorrow'] 

Foxes  have  holes,  and  birds  of  the  air  have 
nests,  but  the  Son  of  Man  hath  not  where 
to  lay  his  head! 

THE  VOICE  OF  A  CROWD 

What  need  we  any  further  witness?  For  we 
ourselves  have  heard  of  his  own  mouth  I 


4Q         THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

MOHAMMED  [impatiently] 

Then,  you  give  them  up,  down  there?  You 
acknowledge  that  you  are  not  their  God? 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  CROWD 
Crucify  him!     Crucify  him! 

THE  VOICE  OF  BRAHM  [dreamily] 

This  same  .  .  .  always  the  same  .  .  .  they 
never  change  .  .  . 

WOTAN  [eagerly] 

Indeed  that  is  so,  Carpenter.  They  never 
change!  Give  them  to  Us!  Give  them 
back!  Myself,  I  should  be  ashamed  to  be 
the  God  of  a  people  that  would  not  fight! 

MOHAMMED 

When  I  ceased  to  lead  them  in  battle,  Allah 
ceased  to  conquer  the  world.  Give  them  to 
Me! 

PALLAS  ATHENE 

I  was  never  pictured  without  my  helmet — 
when  my  children  forgot  the  art  of  war,  all 
their  arts  ceased  with  it.  Give  them  to  Me, 
O  peasant  whose  body  is  not  even  beautiful! 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS         41 

SHIVA  [sadly] 

Mine  were  never  strong  enough  for  battle, 
and  so,  praying  aloud  to  thee,  with  bloody 
swords,  those  soldiers  of  thine  conquered  and 
ruled  My  millions. 

THE  MAN  [gently] 

Greater  is  he  that  ruleth  his  spirit  than  he 
that  taketh  a  city. 

WOTAN  [with  greater  Impatience  than  before] 
But  they  do  not  think  so!  They  pretended 
to  believe  it,  for  a  time,  but  when  it  comes  to 
the  point,  look  at  them!  Those  were  only 
words — in  their  hearts  they  have  never 
changed,  Carpenter !  They  move  about  more 
quickly,  they  are  very  clever,  and  they  have 
more  to  eat,  and  they  know  how  to  talk  to 
one  another  from  great  distances;  but  at 
heart  they  are  the  same  as  when  they  burned 
themselves  on  My  funeral  pyres  I 

MOLOCH 
Or  Mine! 

THE  VOICE  OF  BRAHM 

The  same  .  .  .  always  the  same  .  .  . 


42         THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS 

ALL  THE  GODS 

Give  them  to  Us!  Give  them  back! 
[The  man  of  sorrows  sinks  down  under  the 
Cross.  The  roar  of  the  ocean  becomes  again 
the  thunder  of  heavy  cannon;  the  incense  be~ 
comes  acrid  smoke;  the  cries  of  the  sacrificial 
victims  change  to  the  groans  and  screams  of 
the  dying.  Sharp  flashes  of  lurid  light  leap 
across  the  clouds  from  the  flying,  falling 
bombs.  In  these  flashes  the  faces  of  the 
Gods  become  brighter,  their  expression  more 
violent  and  vivid.  The  rattle  of  drums  and 
the  shriek  of  fifes,  the  neighing  of  horses, 
the  clash  of  swords,  increase  furiously. ,] 

THE  VOICES  OF  AN  ARMY  [singing'] 
A  mighty  fortress  is  our  God! 

WOTAN  {brandishing  his  spear~\ 

Come !     Come !     To  me,  my  brave  heroes ! 

THE  VALKYR  [leaping  on  her  horse,  and  shout 
ing] 
Ho-yo-to-ho  I 


THE  TWILIGHT  OF  THE  GODS         43 

MOHAMMED  [wildly] 

Death !     Death  and  Paradise  I 

THE  VOICES  OF  THE  CHILDREN  [dying  faintly'] 
Jesus,  tender  .   .  . 
[All  is  lost  in  the  rolling  smoke.] 


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